Golden, Colorado – The family of a 27-year-old woman who died while incarcerated at a Colorado county jail has filed a wrongful death lawsuit alleging that medical staff ignored clear signs of a life-threatening allergic reaction and repeatedly administered an antibiotic she had specifically identified as dangerous to her.
Woman Entered Jail for Minor Offense
Ashley Raisbeck, 27, was booked into the Jefferson County Detention Center in Golden, Colorado, in December 2023 after pleading guilty to false reporting, a minor offense. According to the lawsuit, Raisbeck was serving a short sentence while also undergoing detoxification as she came off drugs.
Court filings state that Raisbeck had a long medical history documented in jail records, including known allergies to penicillin, Vicodin, and codeine. Those allergies were reportedly confirmed again during her medical intake when she was booked into custody.
Antibiotic Prescribed Despite Known Allergy
During her intake exam, nurses observed sores on Raisbeck’s face, arms, and legs. While she was placed on a detox protocol, another nurse prescribed cephalexin, commonly known as Keflex, an antibiotic chemically related to penicillin and generally contraindicated for patients with penicillin allergies.
The lawsuit claims Raisbeck had previously refused Keflex during an earlier jail stay, and that refusal—along with her allergy—was documented in her medical records. Despite this history, medical staff allegedly began administering the drug again in December 2023.
Seven Doses Given as Condition Worsened
According to the lawsuit, Raisbeck was given Keflex seven times while in custody. After several doses, she began experiencing severe symptoms that worsened over time.
Medical records cited in the lawsuit show Raisbeck developed persistent vomiting, dropping blood pressure, and an elevated heart rate exceeding 120 beats per minute. Attorneys argue these symptoms are classic warning signs of anaphylaxis or shock, not routine drug withdrawal.
Despite these red flags, the lawsuit alleges nurses failed to notify supervisors or seek outside medical care. When Raisbeck began experiencing muscle cramps and spasms, symptoms consistent with shock, a nurse reportedly told her to “drink water,” even though she was unable to keep fluids down.
Found Unresponsive and Left Alone
On the morning of December 16, 2023, a nurse and a sheriff’s deputy found Raisbeck in her cell lethargic and unresponsive. The nurse was reportedly unable to locate a pulse, and Raisbeck’s blood pressure was documented at a level described in the lawsuit as “incompatible with life.”
Despite this, the nurse and deputy allegedly left Raisbeck alone in her cell for approximately one hour, during what attorneys describe as the final stages of anaphylactic shock. When the nurse returned, Raisbeck was given a seventh dose of Keflex, according to court filings.
Narcan Given Despite No Overdose Evidence
After Raisbeck lost consciousness, staff placed her in a wheelchair. A deputy later noted that her head had to be held upright, her feet dragged along the floor, and she had a blank, glazed stare.
Medical staff then administered multiple doses of Narcan, a drug used to reverse opioid overdoses, despite the lawsuit claiming there were no clinical signs of opioid overdose. When 911 was eventually called, dispatchers were reportedly told it was “probably a fentanyl overdose,” a comment the lawsuit says was made dismissively.
Death and Autopsy Findings
Paramedics arrived at the jail at 11:34 a.m. Raisbeck was transported to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 12:07 p.m.
An autopsy found severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, shock, and black vomit, with no evidence of fentanyl or opioid overdose. The official cause of death was listed as complications of intussusception, a serious intestinal condition often associated with shock and systemic stress.
Lawsuit and Investigation Response
The lawsuit names Jefferson County officials, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and 11 medical staff members as defendants. A review by the First Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) concluded there was no criminal conduct by law enforcement.
However, Raisbeck family attorney Anita Springsteen criticized that review, stating investigators failed to address the medical negligence involved.
“They missed the fact that Ashley was administered a medication she was allergic to,” Springsteen said. “That fact alone changes everything.”
Ongoing Legal Questions
The lawsuit argues Raisbeck’s death was preventable and resulted from systemic failures, misdiagnosis, and a refusal to escalate care despite repeated warning signs.
The case raises broader questions about medical oversight in detention centers, the treatment of inmates undergoing detox, and accountability when known allergies are ignored.
Share your thoughts or experiences with jail medical care and accountability in the comments below.
